Endoscopic side release biopsy valve
AssigneeNew York University
InventorIlseung Cho
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A biopsy valve for an endoscope includes a valve body that is laterally divided into an upper portion having a first height and a lower portion having a second height, a through hole provided along a central, longitudinal axis of the valve body, and a tab disposed between the upper portion of the valve body and the lower portion of the valve body. The upper portion and the lower portion are hingedly connected such that the upper portion is configured to rotate about a hinge and move relative to the lower portion, which is generally stationary. The upper portion is biased in a closed position in which suction is maintained in the endoscope. Exerting an upward or a downward force on the tab rotates the upper portion about the hinge into an open position in which suction is released in the endoscope.
Claims20
A biopsy valve for an endoscope comprising:
- a valve body that is laterally divided into an upper portion having a first height and a lower portion having a second height, the upper portion and the lower portion being hingedly connected such that the upper portion is configured to rotate about a hinge and move relative to the lower portion, which is generally stationary;
- a through hole provided along a central, longitudinal axis of the valve body;
- and
- a tab disposed between the upper portion of the valve body and the lower portion of the valve body,
- wherein the upper portion is biased in a closed position in which suction is maintained in the endoscope, and
- wherein exerting an upward or a downward force on the tab rotates the upper portion about the hinge into an open position in which suction is released in the endoscope.
An endoscope configured for use in an endoscopic procedure, the endoscope comprising:
- a biopsy port;
- a suction port configured to converge with the biopsy port and maintain suction in the biopsy port;
- and
- a biopsy valve configured to close off a proximal opening of the biopsy port and prevent room air from being drawn into the suction port, the biopsy valve including
- a valve body that is laterally divided into an upper portion having a first height and a lower portion having a second height, the upper portion and the lower portion being hingedly connected such that the upper portion is configured to rotate about a hinge and move relative to the lower portion, which is generally stationary;
- a through hole provided along a central, longitudinal axis of the valve body;
- and
- a tab disposed between the upper portion of the valve body and the lower portion of the valve body,
- wherein the upper portion is biased in a closed position in which suction is maintained in the biopsy port, and
- wherein exerting an upward or a downward force on the tab rotates the upper portion about the hinge into an open position in which suction is released in the biopsy port.
A method of operating a biopsy valve of an endoscope, the biopsy valve including a valve body that is laterally divided into an upper portion having a first height and a lower portion having a second height, the upper portion and the lower portion being hingedly connected such that the upper portion is configured to rotate about a hinge and move relative to the lower portion, which is generally stationary, a through hole provided along a central, longitudinal axis of the valve body, and a tab disposed between the upper portion of the valve body and the lower portion of the valve body, the method comprising:
- exerting an upward or a downward force on the tab to rotate the upper portion about the hinge from a closed position in which suction is maintained in the endoscope to an open position in which suction is released in the endoscope;
- and
- removing the upward or the downward force on the tab to reversibly rotate the upper portion about the hinge to the closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.